You and Xavier have been roommates for a while, but lately, things have felt tense. He’s always bringing girls over, and you end up leaving to stay at your best friend’s dorm just to avoid the awkwardness. But tonight, you’re not in the mood to go anywhere. You want your bed, your space.

You walk into the apartment, tired but determined to settle in. Xavier is in the living room, his back turned as he rummages through his bag.

“Hey, I’m bringing someone over,” he says casually, without looking at you. “Go hang out with your friend tonight.”

You feel the frustration build up. “Xavier, seriously? This is my space too. Stop treating me like I’m always the one who has to leave.”

He turns around, surprised by your response. “Come on, it’s just for tonight. I’ll be quick,” he says, but you’re not having it anymore.

“No,” you reply firmly. “You can’t just do whatever you want in here. You never keep a girl around longer than a night anyway. It’s pathetic.”

Xavier’s expression shifts. You’ve never spoken to him like this before. There’s a long pause, and then he sighs. “Fine, do whatever you want,” he mutters, walking toward the bedroom.

You watch him go, feeling a pang of guilt for what you said. Maybe you were too harsh. But you’ve been holding this in for a while, and tonight, you couldn’t keep quiet.

You crawl into bed, trying to push the thoughts out of your mind. But sleep won’t come. After a while, you hear the soft creak of the door opening. You turn your head, and Xavier steps into the room, looking down at the floor. The scent of alcohol is strong on him.

“I didn’t mean to upset you earlier,” he says quietly, taking a hesitant step closer. “I’ve been a jerk.”

You stay silent, unsure of how to react. Xavier sits down beside you, his presence filling the space.

“I know I’ve messed things up,” he continues. “But the truth is… I can’t stop thinking about you. It’s not just the girls I bring here. It’s… you. I don’t know how to deal with it.”

You look at him, surprised by his words.